A much different aura envelops the Newell-Grissom Building this week than that which was there only one week ago. What is strange, however, is that the Mississippi State Bulldogs (6-14, 1-8 SEC) had the same results on paper this week they had that made them so disappointed last week.
Two losses seems to be the recurring theme over the past few weekends for the Bulldogs. The Dawgs have suffered two losses in each of the last three weekends. But the attitude is different. After a dismal 3-0 loss to Arkansas, the Bulldogs’ heads were low. Fifth-year head coach Tina Seals did not see much she was satisfied with in MSU’s performance.
This week, however, one might think the Bulldogs are coming off a winning weekend.
“We’re very positive right now,” Seals said. “We’ve got the second half of the SEC coming up, and we’ve played everyone once, with the exception of Alabama. We know what to expect now.”
Mississippi State fell to LSU and Georgia each by 3-1 scores last weekend. In both matches, the Bulldogs dropped a crucial 26-24 third set that led to their opponents carrying that momentum into the deciding fourth set.
Seals said she saw a lot of good come out of the weekend, despite the team claiming losses on paper. She said the team now has to build on that.
“What we’re looking for now, however, is to build consistency among our top performers,” Seals said. “We want everyone to have strong showings in every match.”
The Bulldogs will look to work on that consistency this weekend at home against the second- and fourth-ranked teams in the SEC in Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively.
MSU and Kentucky will take the court tonight in a 7 p.m. contest.
On Sept. 21, the Wildcats shut out MSU in Lexington by scores of 25-16, 25-16 and 25-8. The match marked the only time all season any team has scored in single digits in any MSU contest.
“Kentucky is very athletic and a very strong team in the SEC,” Seals said. “It will be a good challenge for us, but we’re going to step out and play to win.”
Sunday, MSU will take on the Lady Volunteers of Tennessee, who also shut out the Bulldogs earlier this season. The 1:30 p.m. contest will feature the Lady Vol team that topped MSU in scores of 25-20, 25-13, and 25-14 in Knoxville.
A big developing storyline as of late in the MSU program is the emerging leadership from the team’s freshmen. On a team that currently features no active seniors, someone has had to take control. And lately, freshmen have stepped into their roles quite nicely.
Freshman defensive specialist Leanna King has come off the bench to serve and to supply sophomore libero Kayla Woodard with some defensive aid.
“I think everyone’s pretty positive because we’re improving in every match we play,” King said. “We’ve been pretty excited about practice this week.”
Sophomore middle blocker Ashley Newsome moved into second on the team in kills last weekend. She now totals 130 kills, and also leads the team in blocks, with 79.
Right behind Newsome is freshman Faith Steinwedell with 128 kills.
Freshman hitter Caitlin Rance has seen action in matches recently and has brought a fresh arm to the net for the Bulldogs. She has tallied 11 kills over the last three matches, taking some of the pressure off team leaders Steinwedell and junior Ioana Demian.
“Everyone’s stepping up,” Rance said. “It’s not just those [upperclassmen] who have played before. Everyone’s finding their place.”